Enjoy quintessential Emirati flavours at these restaurants in Dubai
Are you looking for traditional Emirati food in Dubai? Whether it’s machboos, a much-loved local dish made of rice and meat, or balaleet, a sweet and savoury delicacy, you’ll find some excellent restaurants serving up this delicious cuisine in the emirate. Read on to find out which Emirati restaurants in Dubai should be on your ‘must-visit’ list.
TOP EMIRATI RESTAURANTS IN DUBAI
Many local restaurants in the city feature Emirati dishes made from staple ingredients such as fish, rice and meat. Check out these top places for authentic Emirati food in Dubai.
SIRAJ
Siraj, located in Souk Al Bahar, offers a contemporary take on Emirati-Levantine cuisine.
If you are craving some delectable luqaimat, head straight to this amazing concept restaurant in Dubai. At Siraj in Souk Al Bahar – one of the royal-approved restaurants in Dubai – you can indulge in warm date and kale salad, lobster kibbeh and more.
- Location: Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai
- Contact: +971-45-136-207
- Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 01:00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 260
ASEELAH
Award-winning restaurant – Aseelah – offers stunning views of the Dubai Creek. Here, you can taste several Emirati culinary delicacies and other popular classics from around the world.
Also serving up stunningly fresh seafood and an array of Asian delights, this eatery gets crowded during weekends, so it’s best to reserve your table at least a day before your visit.
- Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
- Contact: +971-4-205-7033
- Opening hours: 12:30 pm – 03:00 pm |07:00 pm – 02:00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 260
AL FANAR RESTAURANT
A simple and elegant dish made up of meat and wheat, Al Harees is usually served during Ramadan, Eid and at weddings. Al Fanar Restaurant Dubai is one of the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai known for this classic dish. With a lovely ambience and attentive service, this restaurant offers a memorable dining experience. It is amongst the top-rated restaurants in Dubai Festival City as well.
- Location and Contact: Dubai Festival City Mall (+971-4-232-9966) | Al Seef (+971-4-396-6669) | Al Barsha Pond Park (+971-4-353-3733)
- Opening hours: Vary
- Average cost for two: AED 250
LOGMA
Want to start your day off with a nutritious Emirati breakfast in Dubai? Visit Logma. The eatery offers a number of delicious Emirati foods and is popular for serving some of the best balaleet in town. Experience the magic of authentic Khaleeji cuisine. Their expansive lunch and dinner menu features several salads and rice-based dishes.
- Location and Contact: The Dubai Mall | City Center, Mirdif (+971-800-56462)
- Opening hours: Vary
- Average cost for two: AED 230
SIKKA CAFÉ
Feel the warmth of Arabian hospitality at Sikka Café. Sikka refers to the Deira and Bur Dubai alleyways where traders from the east used to sell their unique herbs. The tale is retold at SIKKA Café, a locally curated dining concept, where delicious Emirati food meets Indian and Persian influences.
- Location and Contact: City Walk (+971-4-385-6524) | La Mer South (+971-4-385-6775) | Last Exit, Al Khawaneej (+971-4-284-9521)
- Opening hours: Saturday to Wednesday 8:00 am – 12:00 am | Thursday and Friday 08:00 am – 01.00 am
- Average cost for two: AED 225 | AED 230 (Al Khawaneej)
ARABIAN TEA HOUSE RESTAURANT & CAFE
Visit Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe with loved ones for genuine Emirati fare. The restaurant has been in operation since 1997 and is also a great place to learn about the emirate’s historical culture.
The Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe introduces Emirati cuisine to guests with a touch of local hospitality.
- Location and Contact: Al Fahidi (+971-4-353-5071)|The Mall Jumeirah (+971-4-341-2855) | Jumeriah 2 (+971-4-298-3228) | Opportunity District Expo 2020 (N/A)
- Opening hours: Vary
- Average cost for two: AED 225 | AED 220 (Opportunity District)
FAQs
What are some of UAE’s local dishes?
Emirati cuisine is a fusion of Middle Eastern and Asian cooking styles. Some of the traditional dishes are al harees, shawarma, al machboos and hummus.
What are the best Arabic restaurants in the UAE?
Tagine, Khaymat Al Bahar and Bait Maryam are some of the top Arabic restaurants in the UAE. Additionally, you can also find various authentic Arabic restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
And that brings an end to MyBayut’s guide to the best Emirati restaurants in Dubai. There are many other Emirati dishes that the city offers apart from the ones mentioned above. Examples include Khameer, a delicious dough ball made from wheat and barley and ragina – a sweet candy mixed with cinnamon and cardamom.
Is all that talk about Emirati desserts making you crave something sweet? Take a look at some of the best Insta-worthy desserts in Dubai.
Alternately, the Turkish restaurants in Dubai don’t disappoint either. Popular ones include Sultan Baba Iskendar and Levant’ish among others.
